US3746837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food warming appliance
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-18
•
Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1992-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A food warming appliance having base and cover structures defining a portable case. A pair of opposed heating panels are mounted, one on each of the structures, and biased toward each other so as to firmly engage food positioned therebetween when the structures are closed. Foods and food trays of a wide variety of sizes, shapes and thicknesses can be positioned between the panels and firmly gripped so as to be warmed through a gentle conductive heat transfer. The heating compartment is well insulated and has the capability of serving as a cold food storage area to keep frozen foods frozen for substantial periods of time. A safety electrical interlock system normally deenergizes the heating panels when the appliance is open. An interlock by-pass plug and cord permit open case operation where the appliance is to be used to keep foods warm during serving. A supporting rack structure is provided for receiving and energizing a plurality of such appliances. Selection switches permit selection of one of several predetermined food serving times. Methods of warming foods for consumption by an individual or large numbers of people through use of such appliances and supporting rack structures are described.
Inventors
- 👤 I Frey
- 👤 C Zola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:23
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/06; A47J37/0611; A47J39/00; A47J39/006; A47J47/00; A47J47/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for conductively warming food positioned therein comprising: a. housing means including a pair of structures relatively movable toward and away from each other between closed and open positions; b. compartment defining means carried by said structures defining within said structures an insulated heating compartment which is opened when said structures are moved to said open position and closed when said structures are moved to said closed position; c. conductive electrical heating means having first and second opposed panel portions movable relatively toward and away from each other foR engaging opposite sides of such food as is positioned therebetween; and, d. mounting means mounting said heating means internally of said structures such that when said structures are closed, said heating means is positioned within said heating compartment with said opposed portions biased relatively toward each other so as to firmly engage opposite sides of such food as is positioned therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for conductively warming food positioned therein comprising: a. housing means including a pair of structures relatively movable toward and away from each other between closed and open positions; b. compartment defining means carried by said structures defining within said structures an insulated heating compartment which is opened when said structures are moved to said open position and closed when said structures are moved to said closed position; c. conductive electrical heating means having first and second opposed panel portions movable relatively toward and away from each other foR engaging opposite sides of such food as is positioned therebetween; and, d. mounting means mounting said heating means internally of said structures such that when said structures are closed, said heating means is positioned within said heating compartment with said opposed portions biased relatively toward each other so as to firmly engage opposite sides of such food as is positioned therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein said first and second panel portions comprise first and second electrical resistance heating panels adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said compartment defining means comprises first and second opposed pans which respectively carry said first and second heating panels therein, each of said pans being carried by a separate one of said structures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said mounting means includes biasing means interposed between at least one of said heating panels and its associated pan to bias said one heating panel toward the other of said heating panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said mounting means further includes stop means carried internally of said associated pan to limit the movement of said one heating panel toward said other heating panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said stop means comprises at least a pair of projections extending inwardly of said associated pan along opposite sides thereof so as to engage opposite edges of said one heating panel, whereby said one heating panel can be removed from said associated pan by depressing one of said opposite edges and elevating the other of said opposite edges past its associated projection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
The device of claim 2 additionally including: a. first and second electrical interlock components electrically connected respectively to said first and second heating panels and mounted within separate ones of said structures; b. electrical conductor means electrically connected to one of said interlock components and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy; c. said first and second interlock components carrying conductive means which are brought into registry when said structures are closed for supplying electrical energy from said conductor means to both of said heating panels, which are disengaged when said structures are opened so as to interrupt the flow of electrical energy from said conductor means to both of said heating panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 7 additionally including interlock by-pass means engageable with at least one of said interlock components when said structures are open to permit the energization of at least one of said heating panels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said structures are removably hinged together by disengageable hinge portions such that said structures can be pivoted between said open and closed positions when said hinge portions are in operable engagement, and said structures can be positioned side by side for open-case operation when said hinge portions are disengaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
A food warming appliance for conductively warming food positioned therein, comprising: a. base and cover structures connected together for relative movement toward and away from each other between closed and open positions; b. first and second compartment defining means carried respectively by said base and cover structures defining within said structures a heating compartment which is opened when said structures are moved to said open position and closed when said structures are moved to said closed position; c. first and second electrical heating panel means carried respectively within said first and second compartment defining means for movement toward and away from each other as said structures move toward and away from each other; and d. mounting means supporting said heating means within said compartment defining means and biasing said heating means relatively toward each other such that when said structures are in said closeD position, such food as is positioned between said first and second heating means is firmly engaged on opposite sides by said heating means whereby heat may be transfered to the food by conduction from both of said heating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
183 words
A food warming appliance for conductively warming food positioned therein, comprising: a. base and cover structures connected together for relative movement toward and away from each other between closed and open positions; b. first and second compartment defining means carried respectively by said base and cover structures defining within said structures a heating compartment which is opened when said structures are moved to said open position and closed when said structures are moved to said closed position; c. first and second electrical heating panel means carried respectively within said first and second compartment defining means for movement toward and away from each other as said structures move toward and away from each other; and d. mounting means supporting said heating means within said compartment defining means and biasing said heating means relatively toward each other such that when said structures are in said closeD position, such food as is positioned between said first and second heating means is firmly engaged on opposite sides by said heating means whereby heat may be transfered to the food by conduction from both of said heating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The food warming appliance of claim 10 wherein said first and second compartment defining means comprises first and opposed pan-like members the rims of which are brought substantially into alignment when said structures are closed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The food warming appliance of claim 11 wherein sealing rings are provided around the rim of each of said pan-like members and are arranged so as to be brought into sealing engagement with each other when said structures are closed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The food warming appliance of claim 10 additionally including first and second frame means positioned around the periphery of each of said pan-like members for supporting said pan-like members in spaced relationship to said structures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The food warming appliance of claim 12 additionally including first and second frame means positioned around the periphery of each of said pan-like members for supporting said pan-like members in spaced relationship to said structures, said sealing rings having portions interposed between said frame means and said pan-like members for insulating said pan-like members from said frame means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |